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Photo shows a view of the Balochistan Assembly in session. —File Photo

QUETTA: In an initiative that has the potential to set off a confrontation with Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi, the provincial assembly speaker called a session for Monday after receiving a requisition signed by 19 legislators.

The requisition was made on Saturday by a bloc comprising members from parties which have dismissed the proclamation of governor’s rule as an attempt by the establishment to impose its writ on the province after removing what it saw as a “recalcitrant government” of Chief Minister Aslam Raisani.

Coalition partners of the ousted government — JUI-F and Balochistan National Party-A — and some members of the PPP and independent MPAs have threatened to launch a movement against the imposition of governor’s rule from Jan 20.

Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi had prorogued an assembly session on Thursday after only one sitting that saw harsh criticism of governor’s rule.

“The assembly secretariat has received a requisition for the session signed by 19 MPAs,” officials told Dawn, adding that after receiving the requisition, Speaker Matiullah Agha had convened the session on Monday.

It will be the second session of the house after imposition of governor’s rule in the province in the wake of a protest by Shia Hazara community against the killing of about 100 people in two terrorist attacks on Jan 10.

Earlier, a session had been convened on Jan 15 by the governor on the request of the provincial government before imposition of governor’s rule.

The session had unanimously adopted a resolution that rejected governor’s rule as an undemocratic and unconstitutional act and called for reinstatement of the provincial government headed by Nawab Aslam Raisani.

The speaker adjourned the session till Jan 18, but subsequently the governor issued orders to prorogue the session.

Asked about the agenda for Monday’s session, JUI-F parliamentary leader in the assembly, Maulana Abdul Wasey, said recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology about legislation would come under discussion, besides some resolutions as well as privilege and adjournment motions.

Balochistan Advocate General Amanullah Kanrani said President Asif Ali Zardari had dismissed only the provincial cabinet by invoking Article 234 of the Constitution and the assembly was still functional.